WASP awarded Congressional Gold Medal for service

A dedicated group of patriotic female pilots were recognized by President Barack Obama July 1 at the White House for their invaluable service to the nation more than 60 years ago. Women's Airforce Service Pilots Elaine Danforth Harmon, Bernice Falk Haydu and Lorraine H. Rodgers were joined by five

WASP exhibit opens in Arlington

The Fly Girls of World War II traveling exhibit began its national tour at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Nov. 14 here. The exhibit, which is dedicated to the history of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, features a history of the WASP.The exhibit includes the "WASP Film Strip,"

WASP make weather history

Women's roles in the military may not have started at Offutt, but the Air Force Weather Agency was here when women stepped forward to serve their country.The Air Weather Service was one of the first military agencies to use military women as pilots during World War II.In early 1943, the first

WASP served for love of flight

When Betty Jo Reed was introduced to flying, it was love at first sight. She was 6 years old and her father paid $1 for her to take a ride in a Ford tri-motor airplane at a local fair in 1929. Once airborne, Ms. Reed was hooked. "I remember feeling free and happy, and loving the whole experience,"

WASPs awarded Congressional Gold Medal

The first female military pilots received the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in the Capitol March 10. Almost 70 years ago, the Women Airforce Service Pilots were disbanded with little fanfare, but this ceremony was a way to make things right for the trailblazers, said Secretary of the Air

WASPs were pioneers for female pilots of today, tomorrow

Before there could be a first female Thunderbird pilot or women flying combat missions into Iraq and Afghanistan, there were the pioneers: the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots of World War II.

Waste-eating bacteria explored as power source

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research here recently awarded a five-year grant to the University of Southern California worth approximately $4.5 million to lead a study on bioengineered fuel cells. Bioengineered fuel cells are bacteria capable of producing electrical energy simply through the

Watch for signs of holiday blues

Television portrays the holidays as a time filled with love and sharing. But the holidays aren't picture-perfect for everyone.People all over the world seem to go through holiday depression, now known as the holiday blues, said Capt. Pamela Novy, commander of the 5th Medical Group's behavioral

Watch live broadcast of chief of staff change ceremony

The swearing in of Gen. T. Michael Moseley as the Air Force’s 18th chief of staff will be broadcast live Sept. 2 from Andrews Air Force Base, Md. The live broadcast is scheduled for 10 a.m. EDT and will be available on the Pentagon Channel and on Air Force Link at www.af.mil/csaf/player.html The

Watch out for that first step

Watch: Seek to Understand, Microaggressions

Air Education and Training Command launched the first installment of "Seek to Understand," a series of educational videos featuring defined terms and personal accounts from Airmen across the command. The series seeks to address racial disparity and foster understanding of the unique experiences of

Watch: Wilford Hall begins in-house COVID-19 testing

Airmen from the 59th Medical Wing have stepped up to the fight against COVID-19 by beginning testing samples taken from patients suspected of having coronavirus.

Watching 'Sandy'

As post-tropical cyclone Sandy continues to make its way across the northeastern U.S. and Canada, U.S. Air Force Defense Meteorological Satellite Program assets continue to provide valuable weather data to forecasters across the region so they can better predict the storm's pathway and

Water engineering

Water flowing into southern Iraq; food on the way

With the help of the Kuwaiti government, fresh water is flowing into coalition-held areas of southern Iraq, and food is on the way, the American officer in charge of these efforts said today.Coalition forces are coordinating delivery of water from a pipeline the Kuwait government set up into

Water on its way

Airman 1st Class Randy Bennett drives a 13k all-terrain forklift carrying a pallet of water to a C-130 Hercules aircraft headed for Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, Dec. 18. Water is shipped weekly to deployed troops in Afghanistan. Bennett is assigned to the 320th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron

Water polo team wins five games in tournament

The Air Force Academy water polo team won five games in the Rocky Mountain Water Polo Tournament, including a four-overtime victory over the alumni/seniors team. Teams traveled from Florida and New Mexico to participate in the spring tournament, held here May 1 and 2. In the highlighted game of the

Water polo: No. 19 Air Force Defeats Iona, 15-8

In its first home game of the season, the 19th-ranked Air Force water polo team surged to a 15-8 victory over Iona Oct. 18 at Cadet Natatorium. With the win, the Falcons improve to 11-8 overall on the season, while the Gaels fall to 11-15. Air Force's offense struck first, as sophomore Matt Versage

Water polo: Air Force captures overtime victory at WWPA Championship

A score from sophomore Alex Churnside with 1:04 remaining in the second overtime period gave the Air Force water polo team a 10-9 victory over Santa Clara Nov. 18 in the third-place game of the Western Water Polo Association Championship, hosted by the Falcons. Air Force, which entered the contest

Water polo: Air Force faces Redlands in 7th-place game

After dropping its first game of the 2006 WWPA Championship to 17th-ranked Santa Clara, the No. 16 Air Force water polo team went 1-1 on day two of the tournament. The Falcons now sit at 13-17 on the season with one game remaining. Facing the Broncos in the first game of the tournament on Friday,

Water rescue team saves two lives

The fire department water rescue team here rescued two swimmers at a local beach Aug. 21. When the rescue team arrived on scene just after midnight, security forces were already there, said Master Sgt. Gregory Chesser, 36th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant fire chief for training. The victim had

Water resource management announced as focus of Air Force Earth Day 2013

Each year Air Force installations around the world observe Earth Day on April 22 by taking actions to enhance sustainability and support the Air Force's Earth Day theme of "Conserve Today - Secure Tomorrow."This year, the Air Force is highlighting water resource management programs, including

Water safety remains important during a pandemic

Indeed, last summer was the last of its kind for the foreseeable future however, despite this new normal the risks associated with swimming and being around the water remain the same.

Water survival course moves from Florida to Fairchild

In response to the Deep Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Air Force water survival courses have temporarily relocated to Fairchild Air Force Base. Training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., was suspended indefinitely June 4 when oil was discovered inside the training area used by

Water world

Staff Sgts. Marty Eberly (front) and William Speyrer direct the movement of the pipes on a fusion welding machine at a forward-deployed location in the Arabian Gulf region. The machine is used to connect water drainage pipes for a runway repair project. Both sergeants are assigned to the 819/219th

Water, fuel systems maintainers work around clock to keep up flow

Many may not know, but underneath every person's feet at Andersen Air Force Base lie unseen miles of pipeline.

Watered down

Waterproof: Missile Retrievers not afraid to dive in

When the weather forecast calls for tall waves, mean currents and high winds in the Gulf, the last thing most people want to do is jump into it. For Ray Gallien and Steve Shafer, two of the commercial divers aboard the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron's three Missile Retriever boats, it sometimes

Watts up: Shop hardwired to deployed base

Flip a switch and a light goes on. Plug in an electric shaver and it recharges. Push start on a microwave and the food becomes piping hot. These are all easy everyday activities most people go through. But for one shop within the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, it’s an everyday job to

Wavelet researchers want to ease decision-making process

An Air Force Research Laboratory team began a new study on wavelets to help information analysts better prioritize workload. Basically, a wavelet represents a snapshot of information at a given point in time. The research team's estimated $200,000, one-year-long project is titled: "A New Paradigm in

WaveRider test vehicle meets B-52

Airmen successfully mated the X-51A WaveRider flight test vehicle to a B-52 Stratofortress July 17 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The fit check followed integration earlier in the month of the Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne scramjet propulsion system into the X-51 at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale,

WC-130J team tracks hurricanes with improved radar system

Experts here battled 155-mph winds and penetrated two hurricanes 15 times recently to put the WC-130J Hercules’ improved weather-radar system to the test.Together with Air Force Reserve Command's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., joint test team experts flew

We Are Airmen: 2018 Recruiting Video Contest

Calling all storytellers! Air Force officials are offering Airmen the chance to create their own recruiting video through the We Are Airmen 2018 Recruiting Video Contest. Now is your chance to showcase your creativity and pride to be an Airman in the U.S. Air Force. If you were a civilian thinking

We Are Airmen: 2018 Recruiting Video Contest winner announced

More than 70 Airmen across the Air Force showcased their creativity and passion by scripting and producing their own recruiting video through the We Are Airmen 2018 Recruiting Video Contest.

We are the Americas: Goldfein strengthens bonds, partnerships with Western Hemisphere air chiefs at a time of growing regional challenges

“It’s all about partnerships here in this hemisphere among neighbors,” Goldfein said during a conference call June 17 with reporters after arriving in El Salvador for the annual event that brings together the highest ranking air force officers from Western Hemisphere nations.

We didn't start the fire

We didn't start the fire...

We remember!

Weapon system sustainment gains highlight results of command’s 5-center construct

Improved sustainment of service weapon systems tops the list of command accomplishments after a year-long reorganization effort, the Air Force Materiel Command’s top general said here Sept. 16.

Weapon system trainer to save taxpayer's dollars

The first official KC-135 Stratotanker Boom Operator Weapon System Trainer in Air Mobility Command, slated to save the Air Force millions annually, opened during a ceremony Jan. 9 here.Training boom operators to perform in-flight refueling requires a tanker and a receiver. An eight-hour tanker

Weapon systems video vital to wartime mission

Amid the hustle and bustle of people walking to and from intelligence briefings in the fighter operations building at a forward-deployed location, Airman 1st Class Michael Edwards sits quietly behind a computer monitor and watches videos, and nobody minds.Airman Edwards’ deployed duties have taken

Weapon-loading warriors

Weapons accident leaves one injured

A weapons accident here June 10 caused one injury. Staff Sgt. Brent Russell, a 917th Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament systems mechanic, was injured when a Gatling gun inadvertently discharged a 30 mm training round during repairs. The round penetrated a steel door causing shrapnel to strike

Weapons Airman keeps F-22s in the fight

Airman 1st Class Kyron Abraham worked the day shift during those winter months. He drove to work through the cold night of day to the 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and joined his three-man team in relieving the night shift. Then the order came to load

Weapons Airmen bring bombs to fight

The chill in the morning air and the dark before dawn didn’t deter the Airmen from the 366th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron as they prepared training munitions for aircraft participating in combat exercise Red Flag 14-1 here. By providing realistic combat training in a contested, degraded and

Weapons Airmen help pilots' firing accuracy

Putting steel on target is the aim of warfighters, and making sure F-16 Fighting Falcon guns hit the bull's-eye every time is the mission of weapon loaders at Misawa Air Base.In a process called boresighting, weapons Airmen ensure the path of bullets shot from the aircraft's 20mm cannon is aligned

Weapons cache discovery

Weapons check

Weapons competition

Weapons directors provide situational awareness

They came to William Tell to play a video game. But they are not playing Donkey Kong or the latest version of Halo. Instead, they are monitoring radar screens to make sure their pilots stay on track during the competition.William Tell is a competition which tests an aircrew's ability to perform

Weapons disposal downrange

Weapons inspection

Weapons load competition showcases Airmen's precision, excellence

Airmen in the 20th Fighter Wing weapons standardization unit held their quarterly Weapons Load Crew of the Quarter competition here July 8.Load crewmembers from Shaw's three fighter squadrons, the 55th "Shooters," the 77th "Gamblers" and the 79th "Tigers," participated in the competition to find out

Weapons load crews keep mission on target

It would be a lot harder to accomplish the mission in Iraq if F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots couldn’t drop 500-pound bombs exactly where they wanted. And more Soldiers would have to go into harm’s way if MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft weren’t able to engage targets with Hellfire missiles from 10,000

Weapons loaders arm jets for the fight

Without the work of Airmen who load munitions on aircraft, F-16 Fighting Falcons in the fight here would be no different than any commercial airliner in terms of strike capability. Combat missions occur around the clock here and weapons loaders from the 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance

Weapons loading competition hones Airmen's skills

Munitions loaders around the Air Force test their warfighting capabilities and promote camaraderie through load crew competitions.Recently, two teams from the 555th and 510th Fighter Squadrons here used teamwork and the communication skills involved with a weapons load to prove their

Weapons safety ensures ICBM effectiveness

The 90th Missile Wing's mission is to defend America with the world's premier combat ready intercontinental ballistic missile force, and ensuring the safe execution of the mission is the prime focus of the 90th MW Safety Office.

Weapons school completes large scale mobility exercise

Airmen from two U.S. Air Force Weapons School squadrons and aircrews flying 40 heavy-body aircraft completed a Mobility Air Forces Exercise over the Nevada Test and Training Range here Nov. 18."This is essentially the capstone for our Weapons Instructor Course, helping us learn how to plan, schedule

Weapons school grad marks a first

An Air National Guard MQ-1 Predator pilot marked the beginning of a new era Dec. 12 as the first unmanned aircraft pilot from a reserve component to graduate from the Air Force Weapons Instructor Course at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School here.Maj. Tammy Barlette, from the Arizona Air National

Weapons school instructors validate first UAS, Raptor courses

U.S. Air Force Weapons School instructors completed the school's first unmanned aircraft systems and F-22 Raptor validation course June 13. Consisting of 17 squadrons, the weapons school teaches graduate-level instructor courses that provide the world's most advanced training in weapons and tactics

Weapons school integrates cyber warfare

Eight Air Force weapons officers completed the first cyber weapons instructor course at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, 328th Weapons Squadron, June 16 here.Weapons officers are tactical experts trained in the art of battlespace dominance who instruct the Air Force's instructor corps and serve as

Weapons school officers employ total force training during Libya B-2 strike

Two B-2 Spirit bombers departed Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, for a transatlantic flight to Libya Jan. 18 in what would become the B-2’s first combat mission since Operation Odyssey Dawn in 2011.

Weapons School students get first look at upgraded B-1s

For the first time, students from the U.S. Air Force Weapons School got to fly with the newly upgraded Sustainment Block-16 B-1B Lancer during the student's Integration Phase (IT) at Nellis AFB, Nev.

Weapons School: Multi-domain integration since 1996

A leader in tactics, techniques and procedures development, the USAFWS has focused on integrating combat capabilities across domains since 1996 when the school’s Space Division was established. The division structure was dissolved in 2003 but integrating space operations as part of the USAFWS

Weapons squadrons integrate combat skillsets

Two B-52s from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, and two B-1 Lancers from Dyess AFB, Texas, flew together and performed more than 200 simulated missile launches as part of a weapons school integration exercise.

Weapons system team earns William J. Perry Award

Members of the Massive Ordnance Penetrator program team received the 16th annual William J. Perry Award in recognition of their contributions to precision strike systems during an awards ceremony hosted by the Precision Strike Association here Jan. 17.The program team, consisting of representatives

Weapons testing enters new era

Engineers and technicians here ushered in a new weapons-testing era by dropping an inert, precision laser-guided bomb from an F-15E Strike Eagle that struck an offshore floating target 21 miles away.The test is the first in a program to build an offshore-scoring system on the Eglin Gulf Test Range,

Weapons troops are not cowboys during Loadeo

Despite what people may think, the Loadeo event does not feature an Airman wearing a cowboy hat, straddling an AIM-120 missile, ready for the ride of his life.Loadeo is the weapons-loading competition taking place here during the 2004 William Tell air-to-air weapons meet.“Loadeo is a competition

Weapons, tactics conference puts warfighters' needs in focus

Nearly 1,200 Air Force warfighters are meeting here in late October to decide on what's needed to succeed in future battles and missions. This year's Air Guard and Reserve Weapons and Tactics Conference is the biggest ever, said Col. Jon Mott, the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command

Weapons, tactics course improves skills

About 30 security forces Airmen from around Air Education and Training Command were here recently to improve their skills.Some of the skills the students learned at the AETC Combat Weapons and Tactics Course included tactical pistol skills, long-gun skills, low-light movements and missions, physical

WEAR program enables Airmen, Guardians to aid recruiting efforts

Airmen and Guardians looking to help inspire, engage and recruit the future force by participating first-hand in events that enhance the Department of the Air Force’s recruiting mission are encouraged to look into the We Are All Recruiters, or WEAR, program.

Wearable computers move to flightline

Maintenance is about to change because of new tools maintainers will have at their disposal.Through a pilot program at the 116th Air Control Wing here, 116th Maintenance Group workers are beginning to integrate a new wearable computer, which can be used across the maintenance spectrum.The small

Weary travelers support troops at airport

Nearly everyone has experienced it at one time or another: An airport bogged down by bad weather, delayed and cancelled flights, and cranky, overtired travelers wanting nothing more than to get to their destinations.That was exactly what Will Ross, an administrative judge for the Defense

Weather Agency assists in tsunami relief efforts

Air Force Weather Agency officials are assisting in the relief effort underway after tsunamis devastated parts of south Asia on Dec. 26. The agency’s weather technicians have redirected resources to create high resolution forecasts of weather over the affected area.“When I heard about what had

Weather agency employs new forecast model

The Air Force Weather Agency headquartered here took the first steps to use the new Weather Research and Forecasting model, known as WRF, for operational forecasts. The WRF model, the first worldwide fine-scale computer forecasting program in nearly a decade, was created through a collaborative

Weather agency facility wins White House award

Officials with the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive announced April 30 that the Air Force Weather Agency's headquarters building here was selected as the winning entry in the "Sustainable Design/Green Buildings - Military" category for the 2009 White House Closing the Circle Award. "The

Weather agency helps commanders with mission decisions

Before flying to support ground forces or attack a target, Air Force and Army pilots run through a lengthy preflight checklist. Getting a go from Air Force weather forecasters is on the list twice. The meteorological data used by combat weather forecasters is collected by the Air Force Weather

Weather Agency provides edge to warfighters

Today's warfighters are constantly looking for any combat advantage that they can gain on their enemies. One factor that can be the difference between a failed mission and a successful one is the weather. Bad weather can disable a Global Positioning System unit or cause low visibility for an

Weather Airmen help ensure flight safety

Airmen of the 31st Operations Support Squadron’s weather flight provide information on atmospheric conditions that may impact the pilots operating in the skies, deliver staff support to the 31st Fighter Wing and act as a liaison to the 21st Operational Weather Squadron for 24/7 base resource

Weather Airmen protect shuttle

Airmen of the 45th Weather Squadron here methodically calculate and determine if weather will threaten a future shuttle launch. Rain, lightning, wind and cloud coverage can instantly delay or “scrub” any shuttle, mission or rocket launch.“We have temperature, wind and rain constraints (because of)

Weather airmen support Army's flying mission in Afghanistan

When people hear the term "weatherman" they typically think of a person dressed in business attire providing the latest hurricane update or winter storm warning on the evening news.

Weather barely slows 2 AF ultra-marathoners

Two Eglin Air Force Base Airmen from the 96th Communications Squadron went for an early morning jog in the rain May 4 and did not stop until 7 p.m. that night, running more than 50 miles.Airman 1st Class Thomas Church and Senior Airman Chris Gauthier are ultra-marathoners. They were competing in the

Weather can't stop desert-dwelling Airmen at Red Flag-Alaska

Working in a cold-weather environment may not be in the repertoire of desert-dwelling maintainers supporting Exercise Red Flag-Alaska 07-1, but Airmen from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., don't seem to mind and they're not about to let it affect their mission. "If it wasn't chilly here I would probably

Weather center offers Web-based broadcasts

In an effort to offer servicemembers, their families and other Department of Defense personnel stationed overseas access to timely weather updates, American Forces Network Weather Center weathermen here now include daily forecasts on their Web site. In what is a typical 11-forecast daily programming

Weather center receives production system upgrades

The American Forces Network Weather Center here received computer upgrades recently ensuring its world-wide products equal or surpass those of its civilian counterparts. The center received two major forecast production units, known as Weather Services International systems, in early August. The

Weather Center staff now supports Stars and Stripes

In addition to producing roughly 8,400 forecasts a month for 72 locations in 60 different countries, the American Forces Network Weather Center here has added yet another client: Stars and Stripes.Stars and Stripes is a daily tabloid-style newspaper distributed around the world with a readership of

Weather clears skies for bomber pilots

While accurate bombs, jet-propelled missiles and well-trained crews mean the difference in a war, none of it gets off the ground without good weather.As aircrews and others at a forward-deployed location will tell you, weather is paramount for the success of Operation Iraqi Freedom. No one knows

Weather command candidates named

The Weather Officer Squadron Commander Candidate Selection Board, which convened here in July, named 21 lieutenant colonels, lieutenant colonel-selects and majors as command candidates, said Air Force Personnel Center officials."Those selected will compete for 12 projected weather squadron command

Weather data pilot includes Hurricane Michael

A prototype project providing the Air Force access to commercial weather data began Oct. 1, nine days before Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle. The prototype is managed at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts.

Weather fails to dampen Air Force-NASCAR relationship at Pocono

The Air Force and NASCAR have long enjoyed a proud relationship that continues to grow with each race. That relationship was very much in evidence at the Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania. Thousands of race fans flooded the track grounds Aug. 1 to watch their favorite drivers complete practice runs

Weather field to consider command candidates

The weather career field development team and 2013 weather squadron command selection board will convene in July to select officers for the squadron command candidate list, and to vector weather officers for developmental opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Candidates will be

Weather flight Airmen continue to support Bagram operations

On an average day, the most critical information conveyed by a forecast might be whether it's advisable to carry an umbrella or not. However, the counsel of weather forecasters at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, has the power to ground planes.

Weather flight critical to coalition mission

Dropping bombs on target in Syria and Iraq during combat missions supporting Operation Inherent Resolve requires a complex array of information, including intelligence gathered well in advance of the combat sortie. Often times, this intelligence is gathered by coalition partners flying out of the

Weather flight keeps 'em flying

There may be rain today and heat tomorrow, or snow today and dusty winds tomorrow. These are some of the conditions the nine-member Air Force weather flight must contend with at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.Everyone needs to know what the weather is going to do, from the A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots

Weather flight keeps pilots safe

When planning a mission, Airmen must consider equipment, manpower and cost; however, there is one element that could have a serious impact if not properly planned for -- the weather. Because of Lajes Field's location as the mid-point between the United States and Europe, military flights regularly

Weather flight reads the clouds over Kyrgyzstan

According to local climatology, this area of Kyrgyzstan wasn’t supposed to see thunder and lightning until May. But when the satellite picture started growing big patches of red April 6, the 376th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron weather flight knew what it meant, said Staff Sgt. Robert

Weather flight spins up 'Santa's Mailbag' program

Air Force volunteers are once again hosting Santa’s Mailbag, a free holiday program that lets children from around the world request and receive a letter from Santa Claus postmarked from North Pole, Alaska. Members of the 58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron started the program more than 50 years

Weather forecaster brings morning show to Luke AFB

Airmen here played host to an early morning show March 22, giving Arizona citizens a look at what the Air Force has to offer, from the comfort of their homes.The live television remote featured Brad Perry, from Channel 3 KTVK. The weather forecaster brought his show to the base so he could telling

Weather forecasters aid mission planning

Asking about the weather is not a casual question in the Combined Air Operations Center at a desert airbase. In fact, it is one of the key questions asked during every phase of the air tasking order, or ATO, cycle."Most systems we have are weather sensitive, so weather predictions must be

Weather forecasters helping coalition forces

No matter what the season, weather changes quickly in the Afghanistan mountains. Within 30 minutes, sky can go from clear blue to dark and stormy, or the wind can pick up drastically, whipping up dust and reducing visibility to nearly zero.With air and ground forces conducting operations around the